Bruce Walter WATTERS

WATTERS, Bruce Walter

85, of St. Petersburg, passed away Sept. 11, 2016. He was born Dec. 21, 1930 to the late Naomi Stevens Watters and Bruce Weaver Watters in St. Petersburg. Bruce graduated from St. Petersburg High School in 1948. He attended Darlington Preparatory School. Bruce received his BA and MBA from Emory University in 1955. He was employed by Rich's Department Store from 1955 to 1956 as unit and dollar control supervisor. Bruce served in the United States Air Force as a multi-engine and helicopter pilot, and he was released as Captain. Following the service, Bruce went to work for his family's jewelry company, and he continued to run operations until 1999, after which his son, Jim Watters, took control of operations. Bruce served on the Board of Directors for the Florida Jewelers Association and was elected as Secretary/Treasurer and Vice President from 1961 to 1965. He served on the Board of Directors for the St. Petersburg Merchants Association and was elected as Secretary/Treasurer and President from 1961 to 1965. He was a developer and first President of Park and Shop, Inc., St. Petersburg from 1964-1965. Bruce was elected to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club from 1961 to 2016. He served as Treasurer, Rear Commodore, Vice Commodore, and Commodore 1969 to 1970. Bruce was appointed by the City of St. Petersburg as member of the Charitable Solicitations Board from 1964 to 1969. He was elected President of the University Club from 1963 to 1964. Bruce served on the Board of Directors of the Dragon Club from 1963 to 1966. He was a member of the St. Petersburg Sunrise Rotary Club and Board member 1979 to 1980. Bruce was on the Board of Trustees for All Children's Hospital 1969 to 1974, Board of Trustees for the Salvation Army 1972 to 1974, Board of Trustees for the Salvation Adult Rehabilitation Center 1975 to 2016. Bruce was elected Commodore of the Florida Yacht Club Council in 1973, and Commodore in 1980. He was also President of the Beach Drive Merchants Group 1978 to 1980 and 1986 to 1987, and served as Vice President of Waterfront Square Promotions, Inc. in 1983 and on the Board of Governors of the Southern Ocean Officer Racing Conference, 1982 to 1983. Bruce was a member of Alpha Phi Omega National Fraternity Service, First Presbyterian Church, Sunrise Rotary Club, The Dragon Club, United States Power Squadron, United States Yacht Racing Union, and the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. He was recognized by the United States Yacht Racing Union as a Senior Race Officer in 1983. Among all of his other activities, he enjoyed most of all yachting, fishing, and preaching the word of God. Bruce is survived by his wife, Roswitha E. Watters; children, Thomas M. Watters (Jane), Cathy L. Clayton, James B. Watters (Grace); stepchildren, John Jewell (Diana), Diana Thomas (Michael), Andrea Kiefel (Herbert); 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren, and many extended family members and friends. A gathering will be held from 5-7 pm, Thursday, Sept. 22, at Anderson-McQueen Family Tribute Center, 2201 Dr. MLK Street St. Petersburg, 33704. A Memorial Service will be held at 2 pm Friday, Sept. 23, at First Presbyterian Church, 701 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, 33701. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bruce's honor to The Sunrise Rotary Club or Infinity Club at www.memorial-donations.org. Online condolences may be given at:

www.AndersonMcQueen.com